Nintendo's Switch 2 Reveal Delights Shareholders, Angers Kamiya

Nintendo's Switch 2 Reveal: A Stock Surge and a Director's Ire

Nintendo's recent Switch 2 announcement sent shockwaves through the industry, boosting the company's share price while simultaneously igniting the fury of renowned game director Hideki Kamiya. This article delves into the financial ramifications and the passionate response to the pre-announcement leaks.

A Happy Shareholder Base

Following the official reveal, Nintendo's stock saw a significant rise. As reported by Kantan Games CEO Serkan Toto in a January 16, 2025, VGC interview, this increase reflects investor relief. The fear of repeating the Wii U's underperformance, due to experimental features, was seemingly alleviated by the Switch 2's more iterative design. While the average share price in 2024 hovered around $13 USD, it climbed to a peak of $15.77 USD post-announcement. Toto noted that the "iPhone-like" approach to the Switch 2's development resonated positively with investors. Despite some fan dissatisfaction with the console's name and design, its clear lineage to the original Switch likely mitigates the risk of a Wii U-style market failure. However, Toto also acknowledged that pre-announcement leaks significantly dampened the impact of the official reveal, diminishing the surprise element.

The announcement itself provided limited details, leaving fans anticipating a more comprehensive reveal at Nintendo's April 2nd Direct presentation, which is expected to cover specifications, launch titles, and pricing.

Kamiya's Outrage at Leaks

Hideki Kamiya, the acclaimed director behind titles like Resident Evil, Okami, and Bayonetta, unleashed a torrent of criticism on social media, targeting those responsible for the Switch 2 leaks. His Twitter (X) post expressed his frustration, wishing a particularly unpleasant fate upon the leakers. He contrasted this with the positive experience of revealing Okami at The Game Awards without prior leaks. Kamiya highlighted the leakers' self-serving motives, arguing that their actions undermined Nintendo's potential gains from a more impactful reveal. Former Nintendo of America employees Kit Ellis and Krysta Yang corroborated this sentiment in a YouTube video, emphasizing Nintendo's extreme displeasure with the leaks.

The detrimental effects of leaks on the gaming industry are undeniable, spoiling the surprise and potentially creating unrealistic expectations. While Nintendo has yet to quantify the damage, the impact on engagement and future sales is likely significant.

The Enigmatic "C" Button

The Switch 2 leaks have generated considerable speculation, particularly surrounding a mysterious "C" button located on the right Joy-Con. Two prominent theories have emerged: a communication-focused function (codenamed "Campus," potentially enabling group chat, voice chat, and screen sharing for Nintendo Switch Online subscribers) and a mouse-like control scheme, transforming the Joy-Con into a mouse for enhanced control in games like first-person shooters. The latter theory gains some credence from the way the Joy-Cons are depicted in the announcement trailer. However, definitive answers remain elusive until the April 2nd Direct.

The upcoming Direct is highly anticipated, promising to finally clarify the lingering questions surrounding Nintendo's newest hybrid console.